A PORTLAND girl band is gearing up for a major performance at a Dorset music festival.

Define Weird are a group of 14-year-old girls who attend weekly workshops with Portland Rocks at the Islanders Club.

They have just learnt that they have been chosen to take part in the Big Mix Music Festival by the Sea in Lyme Regis on Saturday, following a successful audition.

The festival comes in the middle of a busy period for Shauna Booker, Francesca Orellana-Williams, Genna Moore and Kai Bodenhamer, as they recently took part in a Battle of the Bands event at Dorchester’s Corn Exchange and will also play at the St George’s Primary School Summer Fete on Portland on Saturday July 13.

The quartet claim to play alternative rock music with a mixture of covers and original material.

Steve Garden, a music teacher with Portland Rocks, said: “I am so very proud of the girls for all they have achieved.

“They have really come a long way during the last couple of years and it is really great to see how they have grown.”

The Big Music Mix Festival promises to showcase a range of the best young music acts in the South West, which will be performing in front of people from the arts, music and entertainment industries.

The success of Define Weird is a boost for Portland Rocks, which is a community interest company funded by Dorset Music Services.

Portland Rocks is always keen to hear from potential new members for their weekly workshops.

Youngsters can also join junk band percussionist James Kimber, who organised the music for last year’s Moving Tides procession.

The workshops are held every Monday during term time at the Islanders Club in East Weare Road from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and are open to anyone between eight and 18.

For more information call 07526 708100, visit portlandrocks.co.uk or email portlandrocks @live.co.uk.

You can also follow @portland_rocks on Twitter or search for Portland Rocks CIC on Facebook.